Optical control of the rotation of cholesteric liquid crystal gratings.

Two photoalignment-based methods to achieve orientational control of optical diffractions by cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) fingerprint gratings are proposed and demonstrated. A trace of methyl red in the CLC host can effectively induce surface alignment upon linearly polarized green exposure and enable optically rewritable alignment. An effective rotation of the photo-aligned CLC grating is attained by changing the surface alignment axis. Using axially symmetric photoalignment, electrically tunable radial and concentric gratings are also realized. 1D grating diffraction is produced by operating off-axis and can be rotated by mechanically moving the axially symmetric grating. Such optical gratings have great potential for practical use in vibration detection, multi-directional optical modulations, and beam steering.

Helical wavefront and beam shape modulated by advanced liquid crystal q-plate fabricated via photoalignment and analyzed by Michelson's interference.

In this study, electrically tunable advanced liquid crystal q-plates (ALCQPs) that combine two q values in one device to generate optical vortex beams were fabricated using a photoalignment method that involves the use of azo dye, a surfactant alignment material. The electrically tunable ALCQP device could be modulated to control the shape and polarization of a circularly polarized Gaussian laser beam that propagated through the device. A Gaussian beam modulated by an ALCQP under suitable applied voltage showed a variation beam shape with helical wavefront, as demonstrated by Michelson's interference. This helical wavefront beam carries an orbital angular momentum and can be used in an optical tweezers system to trap, move, and rotate particles simultaneously.

Modulation of shape and polarization of beam using a liquid crystal q-plate that is fabricated via photo-alignment.

A liquid crystal (LC) device, called a "q-plate" (QP), which is based on axially symmetric photo-alignment was investigated. The electrically tunable LC QP device could be modulated to control the shape and polarization of a linearly polarized Gaussian laser beam that propagated through it. The intensity profile and polarization distribution were simulated by MATLAB and 1D-DIMOS. The results of the simulation were consistent with experimental findings. In the fabricated electrically tunable LC QP device, switching between different beam-profile configurations can be realized by applying a voltage. Moreover, the fabrication of an LC QP is relatively simple, and the device has potential for such practical applications as beam shape modulators and spatial polarization converters use in diffractive optics and imaging systems.

Electrical control of shape of laser beam using axially symmetric liquid crystal cells.

This work demonstrates the electrical tuning of laser beam shape using an axially symmetric dye-dope liquid crystal (ASDDLC) device that is fabricated using a photo-alignment method. Various beam shapes can be obtained by linearly polarized Gaussian laser beams through an ASDDLC device under various applied voltages. The far-field intensity patterns generated by laser beams of selected shapes under various applied voltages are simulated, and the results are consistent with experiment. A rotatable petal-shaped beam is obtained by controlling the polarization of the output donut-shaped beam. The tenability of beam shape of light with a wavelength of 1064 nm, which is commonly used in biomedical applications, is also demonstrated.

Beyond-limit light focusing in the intermediate zone.

We experimentally verify that a new nanolens of a designed plasmonic aperture can focus visible light to a single line with its width smaller than the limit of half the wavelength in the intermediate zone. The experimental measurement indicates that while the near field plays a role to increase the spot size in the near zone, it is negligible at the beyond-limit focused region; i.e., the focused light is dominated by the radiative fields. The image taken by the optical microscope shows that the fields focused have propagated to the far zone. Besides being of academic interest, the nanolens capable in achieving a lower diffraction limit in the intermediate zone is important for application possibilities.

Polarization-independent liquid crystal lens based on axially symmetric photoalignment.

A polarization-independent liquid crystal lens that is based on axially symmetric photoalignment is demonstrated. This liquid crystal lens is fabricated by combining radially and azimuthally aligned liquid crystal films with gradient alignments. The configurations of liquid crystals on the substrates are confirmed both optically and using a scanning electron microscope. The focal length of the polarization-independent liquid crystal lens can be controlled by applying various voltages. The device is simple to fabricate, and very convenient to use. It therefore has great practical potential.

Optically-tunable beam steering grating based n azobenzene doped cholesteric liquid crystal.

This work proposes an optically controllable beam-steering device, fabricated using cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) that are doped with azobenzene. The trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene changes the pitch of the CLC fingerprint structure and shifts the diffraction angle. The diffraction angle increases when the cell is irradiated with UV light, and restored when it is irradiated with green light. Combining the photoisomerization effect with electrical effect, the CLC beam-steering device provides a steering angle of approximately 19 degrees. The tuning is continuous and could be completed within a few seconds.

Polarization converters based on axially symmetric twisted nematic liquid crystal.

An axially symmetric twisted nematic liquid crystal (ASTNLC) device, based on axially symmetric photoalignment, was demonstrated. Such an ASTNLC device can convert axial (azimuthal) to azimuthal (axial) polarization. The optical properties of the ASTNLC device are analyzed and found to agree with simulation results. The ASTNLC device with a specific device can be adopted as an arbitrary axial symmetric polarization converter or waveplate for axially, azimuthally or vertically polarized light. A design for converting linear polarized light to axially symmetric circular polarized light is also demonstrated.

Measurement of helical twisting power based on axially symmetrical photo-aligned dye-doped liquid crystal film.

This investigation demonstrates a simple but accurate method for measuring the helical twisting power of chiral doped liquid crystals using axially symmetrical photo-alignment in azo dye-doped liquid crystal films. As reported in our previous paper, a reversed twist effect produces a disclination line in photo-aligned axially symmetrical liquid crystal films. The pitch and helical twisting power can be obtained by measuring the rotation angle of the disclination line in chrial doped liquid crystal. This method is independent of cell gap and provide an error below 0.5%.

Color cone lasing emission in a dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal with a single pitch.

This work investigates a novel color cone lasing emission (CCLE) based on a one-dimensional photonic crystal-like dye-doped cholesteric liquid crystal (DDCLC) film with a single pitch. The lasing wavelength in the CCLE is distributed continuously at 676.7-595.6 nm, as measured at a continuously increasing oblique angle relative to the helical axis of 0-50 degrees . This work demonstrates that lasing wavelength coincides exactly with the wavelength at the long wavelength edge of the CLC reflection band at oblique angles of 0-50 degrees . Simulation results of dispersion relations at different oblique angles using Berreman's 4X4 matrix method agrees closely with experimental results. Some unique and important features of the CCLE are identified and discussed.

Axially symmetric liquid crystal devices based on double-side photo-alignment.

This investigation demonstrates the feasibility of the radial and azimuthal axially symmetric LC structure using double-side photoalignment in a dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) cell. A linear and linearly polarized beam is applied to a rotated DDLC cell to produce an axially symmetric LC alignment. Notably, double-sided photoalignment is performed at a temperature that is maintained just above the clear point. Conformation of the axially symmetric LC devices can be controlled by varying the polarization direction of the pumping light, and the simulation results correlate well with OR closely correspond to the experimental results.

Tunable grating based on stressed liquid crystal.

This study demonstrates a novel tunable grating based on a stressed liquid crystal (SLC) film. This device can be modulated by shearing a length or applying an AC voltage to tune the intensity and polarization of diffracted beams. The device capable of tuning the intensity and/or polarization of diffracted beams is essential to various optical systems. Thus, SLC gratings have potential for practical applications.

Axially symmetric polarization converters based on photo-aligned liquid crystal films.

This work demonstrates axially symmetric polarization converters based on photo-alignment in dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) films. A linear-shape and linearly polarized beam is applied onto a rotated homogeneous DDLC cell to achieve three axially symmetric polarizations - radial, azimuthal and vortical. Additionally, the spiral degree of the axially symmetric vortical polarization can be controlled by varying the polarization of the pumping light and the simulation results agree well with the experiment.

Achieving high focusing power for a large-aperture liquid crystal lens with novel hole-and-ring electrodes.

Aiming to equip commercial camera modules, such as the optical imaging systems with a CMOS sensor module in 3 Mega pixels, an ultra thin liquid crystal lens with designed hole-and-ring electrodes is proposed in this study to achieve high focusing power. The LC lens with proposed electrodes improves the central intensity of electric field which leads to better focusing quality. The overall thickness of the LC lens can be as thin as 1.2 mm and the shortest focal length of the 4 mm-aperture lens occurs at 20 cm under an applied voltage of 30 V at 1 KHz. The inner ring electrode requires only 40% of applied voltage of the external hole electrode. The applied voltages for this internal ring and external hole electrodes can simply be realized by a pre-designed parallel resistance pair and a single voltage source. Experiments are conducted for validation and it shows that the designed LC lens owns good image clearness and contrast at the focal plane. The proposed design reduces the thickness of LC lens and is capable of achieving relative higher focusing power than past studies with lower applied voltage.

Polarization controllable Fresnel lens using dye-doped liquid crystals.

A scattering-free, polarization controllable Fresnel zone plate lens is demonstrated using a photo-induced alignment of the dye-doped liquid crystal film. This photo-aligned liquid crystal zone plate provides orthogonal polarization states for odd and even zones. The different focus orders can be separated because of their different polarization states. The fabrication process is relatively simple and the operation voltage is less than 5 V(rms).

Polarization controllable spatial filter based on azo-dye-doped liquid-crystal film.

This investigation establishes the feasibility of exploiting the surface-assisted photoalignment effect in dye-doped liquid-crystal (DDLC) films as spatial filters with controllable polarization in optical signal processing. The fabrication relies on the fact that the various intensities of the diffracted orders are responsible for various changes of the polarization state induced by the photoaligned DDLC film. Specific spatial orders in Fourier optical signal processing can be filtered by use of an analyzer placed behind the sample to control the polarization state of the diffracted orders. A simulation was performed, and the results agree closely with the experimental data.

Photorefractive effect induced by polarization gratings in dye-doped liquid crystals.

We report on the photorefractive effect induced by a polarization grating in the presence of dc voltage in a dye-doped liquid-crystal (DDLC) film. The writing beams are two orthogonally (left- and right-circularly) polarized laser beams that create a spatially polarization-modulated interference field with constant intensity. The photorefractivity is ascribed to the absorption anisotropy of the azo dye. The unique dichroism of a DDLC cell causes a spatial variation in the absorption of light in response to a polarization-modulated interference field. Such a variation establishes a space-charge field in the presence of dc voltage, generating photorefractivity. Two-beam couplings were also verified and measured dynamically during the formation of the photorefractive grating in this study.

Laser-induced reorientation effect and ripple structure in dye-doped liquid-crystal films.

The effects of light-induced reorientation on a homeotropical dye-doped liquid crystal (DDLC) cell are discussed. The photoexcited azo dye Methyl Red (MR) is diffused and adsorbed onto the substrate, thus forming a ripple structure. The adsorbed dye and the laser-induced ripple structure then reorient the liquid-crystal molecules and induce a holographic grating. Initially, the liquid-crystal directors are reoriented primarily by the adsorbed dye. However, given a sufficiently large ripple groove amplitude, the torque imposed by the ripple grooves overcomes that which is due to the adsorbed dyes, and the liquid crystals are realigned along the groove direction.